Dakshina Kannada BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel today invited senior Congress leader and former Union minister Janardhana Poojary into the saffron party's fold in the wake of purported comments by the latter against the Yettinahole river diversion project.
Addressing BJP workers who are protesting against Karnataka government over electricity shortage in the state, Kateel said Poojary's comment that the Yettinahole project was a "major scam to tarnish the image of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah" had created a stir.
Kateel said in view of his comments, Poojary was welcome to join BJP.
When contacted, Poojary refused to comment on the BJP leader's invitation and said he would soon convene a press conference to explain his views.
Kateel made the speech during a protest outside Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company's offices here against the Congress government over the shortage of electricity in the state.
The protesters sought the resignation of Energy Minister DK Shivakumar.
Kateel said he stood behind Poojary on the Yettinahole issue and that the latter was welcome to join BJP.
The BJP MP said that by initiating the Yettinahole project, the Congress government had hurt the sentiments of the people of Dakshina Kannada district.
